Improvement in combined alphabet and building blocks and game-boards



S. T. McDOUGALL.

COMBINED ALPHABET AND BUILDING-BLOCKS AND GAME-BOARD Patented Apr'11'18,1876.

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SAMUEL 'r. Monouezinn, on B OOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED ALPHABET AND BUILDING BLOCKS AND GAME-BOARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 176, Edd, dated April 18, 1876; application filed July 30, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL '1. McDon- GALL, of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Combined Alphabet and Building Blocks and Game-Boards; and that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing alphabet and building blocks and game-bldcks with a pin projecting from one side, and one or more holes through the other sides. as shown in Figure 1, the pin being fitted to said holes.

I also construct a board, said board having pin-holes for the number of blocks used, into which they are all fitted. I also. put upon. this board one or more games the blocks can be used to play with.

The lettering and games are painted or pasted on the blocks and board in the usual manner.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, 1 will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct my blocks cubical, with a pin projecting from one side, as shown at Fig. 1, the opposite side being lettered in the usual manner. I make pin-holes in one or more of the other sides, to receive the pins of the blocks when being built up. The sides not bored are figured or lettered, as shown at Fig.2.

I construct my board large enough to hold the number of blocks used, having a pin-hole for each block, or more, as required, as shown at Fig. 4. Upon this board is painted or pasted the design for a gameboard, as shown at Fig. 5.

The blocks are made in colors, and can be used for men in playing the difi'erent games.

The board is usually made square on its upper surface, and of sufiicient thickness to hold the blocks securely in position.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a side view of the block, showing the pin, and also the hole in one side. Fig. 2 shows a side view of a block, with letter on one side, and

also the pin. Fig. 3 shows a top view of the block, with letter. Fig. 4 shows the board with the pin-holes for holding the blocks in position. Fig. 5 shows the board with a game-board on one side. (The game-board can, if desired, be placed or formed on the same side that the pin-holes are in.) Fig. 6 shows one form when used as buildingblocks.

The advantages of this style of blocks over the ordinary square or cubical blocks are that they can be placed in or on the board in reading or spelling words, and have less liability of being displaced than with the ordinary blocks in use. Another advantage is that the blocks can be built up into a great variety of forms, which is a great source of amusement to children, and it also furnishes amusement for any one fond of games.

This board has advantages over the ordinary board in playing games, as it can be used by travelers on the ears, ships, steamboats, wagons, and other vehicles without displacing the men.

Operation: The board, Fig, 4, can be placed on a table, or in any other suitable position. The person using it can then arrange the lettcrs into words, or alphabetically, as they desire, each letter-block being held in position by its pin. To build up the blocks, place one with holes in four sides of it in or on the board. You can then build up four ways. If there is but two holes in the block you can build but two ways; but, as each block will turn after being built up, you can make almost any number of forms.

For playing games the board is used the same as the ordinary checker, chess, or twelvemen morris-board. One can either use the blocks for men, or any other way one may choose.

This improvement is simple, and can be cheaply and easily constructed.

I am aware that a game-board provided with pin-holes, and the men or pieces with' pins fitting therein, is very old; but 4 Having thus fully described my improved alphabet and building blocks and games, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Oubieal alphabet, building, or game and the cubical alphabet, building, and game blocks, provided with a pin projecting from blocks, having pins and holes, all arranged to one side, lettered on the opposite side, and operate substantially as herein set forth.

with holes through one or more of the remain- SAMUEL T. MGDOUGALL. ing sides, substantially as described, and for Witnesses: the purposes specified. EBENEZER BLAGKMAN,

2. A game-board provided with *piu-holesf ITAOOBDUBUIS. 

